Villain(s)  Vampires

Actor(s):  Walter Brandi, Dieter Eppler, Graziella Granata, Luigi Batzella

Brief Description  Slaughter of the Vampires (1962), also released as Curse of the Blood Ghouls, is an Italian Gothic horror film written and directed by Roberto Mauri. Set in 19th-century Austria, it follows a newlywed couple targeted by a ruthless, unnamed vampire baron who infiltrates their mansion.

Plot:
The film opens mid-action with an angry, torch-bearing mob chasing an unnamed male vampire and his female companion through a provincial town. When the female vampire trips and falls, her ruthless mate abandons her. The villagers brutally execute her with pitchforks while the male vampire escapes. He seeks refuge in the wine cellar of a nearby castle, hiding inside a pre-prepared coffin. Sometime later, a wealthy newlywed couple, Wolfgang and Louise, move into the estate. During a festive grand ball to celebrate their marriage, the mysterious, unnamed vampire crashes the party. He uses hypnotic charm to introduce himself and focus his attention entirely on the beautiful bride.

Later that evening, the vampire slips into Louise’s bedroom. Overcoming her weak protests, he bites her neck. Under his dark thrall, Louise begins sneaking out of her marital bed at night to meet him in the castle gardens. As she slowly transforms into a vampire, she also targets a servant's young daughter, Resy. Terrified by his wife's pale, sickly state and bizarre behavior, Wolfgang seeks the help of a local intellectual, Dr. Nietzsche (sometimes referred to as Dr. Schneider or a Van Helsing archetype). Recognizing the symptoms of vampirism, the doctor equips Wolfgang with the tools of the hunt. Together, they track the monsters down to the castle vaults to end the curse.